Variable volume suitcase



June 3, 1969 F. scHwENNlcKE VARIABLE VOLUME SUITCASE Sheet Filed Nov. 13. 1967 June 3, 1969 F. scHWENNlcKl-z 3,447,648

VARIABLE VOLUME SUI TCASE Filed Nov. 1s. 1967 sheet 2 of 2 United States Patent O 3,447,648 VARIABLE VOLUME SUITCASE Franz Schwennicke, 71 Ave. des Erables, Waterloo, Belgium Filed Nov. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 682,070 Claims priority, application Belgium, Nov. 25, 1966,

Inf. ci. A4sc 7/00, 13/04 U.S. Cl. 190-44 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a variable-capacity suitcase comprising, internally, two rigid frames along the edges of the two opposite large faces, connected together by an expanding means.

In order to diminish the space occupied by a suitcase when it is empty, it has been proposed that the abovementioned expanding means should consist of a flexible strip. A suitcase of this kind is not attractive in appearance when in use, since it lacks rigidity over its entire periphery.

The present invention relates to a suitcase having the appearance of a rigid suitcase when its volume is at maximum, but the volume or capacity of which may be diminished in the same manner as in the case of a traditional Suitcase having expanding sides when it is not in use.

A suitcase according to the invention is characterised in that the aforesaid frames serve as a pivot for pairs of inner plates the width of which is equal to half the distance between the two large faces when the suitcase occupies its maximum volume, the said frames having, beyond the center between the said faces, tongues or tabs bearing against the other plate of the same pair when the suitcase occupies its maximum volume, and in that a latching means mounted on one of the plates of each pair, parallel to the said plate, is adapted to be displaced in such manner that it may be positioned before a tongue on the other plate of the same pair, thus maintaining the two plates of the pair under consideration in prolongation of each other.

Preferably, one of the plates of each pair of plates is provided with a median tongue or tab, whereas the other plate of the same pair has two lateral tongues or tabs.

Further features and details of the invention will be disclosed in the description of the drawings accompanying the present specification, which said drawings show diagrammatically and purely by way of example a form of embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rigid elements of the suitcase, after removal of almost the whole of the exible envelope.

FIGURE 2 is, drawn to a larger scale, a cross-section through the upper portion of the suitcase, in a plane designated II-II in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG- URE 2, with the suitcase shown at minimum capacity.

FIGURE 4 is, drawn to a larger scale, a plan view of a portion of the lower wall of FIGURE 1.

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FIGURES 5 and 6l are views showing cross-sections in planes corresponding respectively to the lines V-V and VI-VI of FIGURE 4.

In these various gures, like reference numerals designate like elements.

The suitcase according to the invention comprises two rigid frames 2 and 3 extending along the two large opposite faces of the suitcase. The said frames are advantageously attached by pressure-fastenings to a flexible envelope 4. The said envelope is shown almost completely removed in FIGURE 1, so as to more satisfactorily show the elements which it surrounds. Due to the aforesaid pressure fasteners, it would be an extremely simple matter to replace a frame which might be deformed, without disassembly of the suitcase. The portion of the said envelope 4 comprised between the two frames 2 and 3 may be folded inwardly when the two frames are appreached to each other, so as to constitute an expanding means.

The suitcase comprises furthermore two pairs of inner plates 5-6 and 7-8 which pivot relatively to the frames. The width of these four plates is equal to half the distance between the two large faces when the volume or capacity of the suitcase is at maximum. The edge of the plate 6 is designated 9 in FIGURE 1, that of the plate 7 is designated 10 in FIGURES 4 and 6 and that of the plate 8 is designated 11 in FIGURES 4 and 5. The plates 5 and 7 are identical. They have, at each of their ends, beyond the center between the large faces of the suitcase when expanded to its maximum volume, a lateral tongue or tab 12 which is applied against the further plate 6 or 8 of the same pair when the suitcase is expanded to its maximum volume.

The plates 6 and 8 are also identical. They have, in their median portion, beyond the center between the large faces of the suitcase when expanded to the maximum extent, a median tongue 13 which is applied against the other plate of the same pair when the suitcase is expanded to the maximum volume.

The plates 5 and 7 have recesses 14 for receiving the median tongues 13 of the plates 6 and `8, whereas the latter have lateral recesses 15 for receiving the lateral tongues 12 of the plates 5 and 7.

When the plates 5 and 6 or the plates 7 and 8 are arranged in prolongation of each other, the edges of the recesses 14 and 15 intersect half-way across the width of the suitcase and abut each other, thus preventing the rigid frames from approaching each other for as long as the plates of each pair remain in prolongation of each other. In order to maintain the plates in this position, there is a latching means 16 on one of the plates of each pair. The said latching means is displaceable parallel to the plate on which it is mounted, and it may be displaced into position before a tongue on the other plate of the said pair. In the form of embodiment shown, the said latching means 16- is able to pivot about a pivot 17. In FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 to 6, it is shown in the position wherein it is opposite the median tongue 13 of the plate 6 or 8, whereas in FIGURE 3 it is shown in the position wherein it is parallel to the frame 2 and has not been able to prevent the tongue 13 of FIGURE 2 from pivoting downwardly about the frame 3 until it reaches the position shown in FIGURE 3.

The handle 18 is secured to two adjacent plates 5 and 6 by thin strips of material 19 and 20' (FIGURES 2 and 3) secured to the said plates by rivets 21 and 22.

The wall of the suitcase opposite that on which is secured the handle l8r has two rigid portions 23 and 24 (FIGURE 1), the width of which is equal to half the distance between the large faces of the envelope when the suitcase is expanded to its maximum volue. The said rigid portions are riveted to the plates 7 and 8 by rivets 25. They may serve for the securing of legs (not shown).

What I claim is:

1. Variable-capacity suitcase comprising, internally, two rigid frames extending along the edges of two large opposite faces of said suitcase, expanding means joining together said opposite faces, two pairs of inner plates pivoting relatively to said frames, the width of said plates being equal to half the distance between the two large faces when the suitcase is expanded to its maximum volume, at least one tongue on each of Said plates beyond the middle between the said faces, said tongues bearing against the other plate of the same pair when the suitcase is expanded to its maximum volume, and a latching means mounted on one of the plates of each pair, parallel to the said plate, said latching means being displaceable in such manner that it may be positioned before a tongue of the other plate of the same pair, and thus maintain the two plates of the pair under consideration in prolongation of each other.

2. Suitcase according to claim 1, in which the portion of said expanding means opposite that where a handle is secured has two rigid portions the width of which is equal to half the distance between the large faces When the suitcase is expanded to maximum volume.

3. Suitcase according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the plates of each pair of plates has a median tongue whereas the other plate of each pair has two lateral tongues.

4. Suitcase according to claim 1, characterized in that said plates have recesses so disposed as to receive a tongue of the other plate of the same pair when the suitcase is expanded to its maximum volume, and in that edges of said recesses partially abut each other.

5. Suitcase according to claim l, wherein said llatching means is pivotable.

6. Suitcase according to claim 1, comprising thin strips Securing a handle to the two adjacent inner plates.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS l/ 1956 Belgium. 6/ 1952 Germany.

U.S. Cl. XR. 

